Stud-to-stud mounting bracket for electrical or communication device

ABSTRACT

A mounting bracket for a junction box includes a face plate having left and right edge margins and a central opening. The face plate includes a first set of indicia adjacent a top edge of the central opening and a second set of indicia adjacent a bottom edge of the central opening. Each set of indicia includes ruler graduations indicating a distance from the left edge margin of the face plate to the respective ruler graduation.

The present application is continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 16/927,838filed Jul. 13, 2020, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,300,246 on Apr. 12,2022, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 16/131,943 filed Sep. 14,2018, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,711,940 on Jul. 14, 2020, which is acontinuation of U.S. Ser. No. 14/733,379, filed Jun. 8, 2015, issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,077,866 on Sep. 18, 2018, which claims the benefit ofthe filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/008,954, filedJun. 6, 2014, the entirety of each of which is incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

Typically, an electrical or communication device is installed in abuilding using a mounting bracket. The communication device is fastenedto the mounting bracket, and in turn, the mounting bracket is fastenedto framing (e.g., a wall stud). In some circumstances, junction boxesare used to house and protect electrical and communication devices, suchas electrical outlets, electrical switches, associated electricalwiring, communication terminals (e.g., terminals for fiber optics), andassociated communication cables (e.g., optical fiber cables). Thejunction box is secured to the mounting bracket, so that, in turn, theelectrical or communication device is secured to the mounting bracket.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, a mounting bracket for a junction box includes a faceplate having left and right edge margins and a central opening. The faceplate includes a first set of indicia adjacent a top edge of the centralopening and a second set of indicia adjacent a bottom edge of thecentral opening. Each set of indicia comprises ruler graduationsindicating a distance from the left edge margin of the face plate to therespective ruler graduation.

In another aspect, a mounting bracket for a junction box comprises aface plate having upper and lower edge margins. An upper channel extendsupwardly from the upper edge margin and a lower channel extendsdownwardly from the lower edge margin. Each of the upper and lowerchannels includes an enlarged end portion at one end thereof. Eachenlarged end portion has a width greater than a width of a remainder ofthe respective channel.

In yet another aspect, a method of adjusting a length of a mountingbracket for a junction box includes removing a removable end portionfrom a remainder of the mounting bracket and reattaching the removableend portion to the remainder of the mounting bracket to shorten thelength of the bracket.

Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed outhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of one embodiment of a stud-to-stud mountingbracket for an electrical or communication device;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the mounting bracket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the mounting bracket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan of the mounting bracket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective of a stud-to-stud mounting bracket having ashorter initial length than the mounting bracket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective of the mounting bracket of FIG. 5 attached totwo wall studs spaced a standard distance apart, with two junction boxand a box cover plate assemblies mounted on the mounting bracket;

FIG. 8 is a top plan of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective of the mounting bracket of FIG. 5 shortened toan adjusted length and attached to two wall studs spaced a non-standarddistance apart, with a junction box and box cover plate assembly mountedon the mounting bracket;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation of the mounting bracket of FIG. 5,illustrating cut lines for shortening the length of the mountingbracket;

FIG. 11 is a perspective of the mounting bracket of FIG. 10,illustrating movement of the cut portions for shortening the length ofthe mounting bracket;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, partial view of the shortened mounting bracketof FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a section taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective of an alignment plate for use with the mountingbracket;

FIG. 15 is a front elevation of the alignment plate of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a side elevation of the alignment plate of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a top plan of the alignment plate of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a schematic front elevation illustrating two alignment platesnested;

FIG. 19 is a separated rear perspective of the mounting bracket,alignment plate, junction box, and box cover plate;

FIG. 20 is a front plan of the mounting bracket attached to two wallstuds with two junction box, alignment plate, and box cover plateassemblies mounted on the mounting bracket;

FIG. 21 is a section taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a section taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a perspective of the mounting bracket attached to two wallstuds with a multi-gang junction box and box cover plate assemblymounted on the mounting bracket;

FIG. 24 is a top plan of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a perspective of a multi-gang alignment plate for use withthe mounting bracket;

FIG. 26 is a front elevation of the multi-gang alignment plate of FIG.25;

FIG. 27 is a side elevation of the multi-gang alignment plate of FIG.25;

FIG. 28 is a top plan of the multi-gang alignment plate of FIG. 25;

FIG. 29 is a separated rear perspective of the mounting bracket, twomulti-gang alignment plates, multi-gang junction box, and box coverplate;

FIG. 30 is a front plan of the mounting bracket attached to two wallstuds with a multi-gang junction box, two multi-gang alignment plates,and a multi-gang box cover plate mounted on the mounting bracket;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged partial section taken along line 31-31 of FIG.30;

FIG. 32 is a section taken along line 32-32 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is a perspective of a combination alignment plate and multi-gangalignment plate;

FIG. 34 is a front elevation of the combination plate of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a side elevation of the combination plate of FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a top plan of the combination plate of FIG. 33;

FIG. 37 is a perspective of a second embodiment of a mounting bracketfor a junction box, the mounting bracket having detachable filler clips;

FIG. 38 is a perspective of a filler clip of the mounting bracket;

FIG. 39 is a side elevation of the filler clip;

FIG. 40 is a front plan of the mounting bracket attached to two wallstuds with a junction box with the filler clips thereon mounted on themounting bracket;

FIG. 41 is a section taken along line 41-41 of FIG. 40; and

FIG. 42 is a section taken along line 42-42 of FIG. 40.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-36, a first embodiment of an adjustablestud-to-stud mounting bracket for mounting an electrical orcommunication device (or the like) between wall studs (e.g., metal wallstuds) is generally indicated at reference numeral 10. In thisembodiment, the mounting bracket 10 is a unitary, one piececonstruction. The mounting bracket 10 may be formed from a single sheetmetal (e.g., steel or aluminum) or other suitable material. In FIGS.1-8, the mounting bracket 10 is shown in an initial configuration (e.g.,having an initial length). As set forth below, in general the mountingbracket 10 is configured to be cut or otherwise configurable from theinitial configuration to a different, adjusted configuration (e.g., cutto an adjusted length). The orientation of the mounting bracket 10 inthe drawings provides the point of reference for the terms definingrelative locations and positions of structures and components of thebracket, including but not limited to the terms “upper,” “lower,”“left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “forward,” and “rearward,” as usedthroughout the present disclosure.

Referring still to FIGS. 1-8, the mounting bracket 10 includes a faceplate, generally indicated at 12. The face plate 12 includes a main body14 that is generally rectangular having opposite upper and lower edgemargins 16, 18, opposite left and right edge margins 20, 22, a frontface 24, a rear face 26, and a large, generally rectangular, centralopening 28. The central opening 28 is sufficiently large enough topermit use of the mounting bracket 10 with junction boxes J of differentsizes. As an example, the mounting bracket 10 is suitable for use withthe junction boxes J having the following known sizes (dimension betweenupper and lower sides×dimension between left and right sides): 4×4 in, 411/16×4 11/16 in, and 5×5 in. The central opening 28 is alsosufficiently large enough to permit use of different types of box plates32, such as, for example, a box cover plate having a rearward extendingflange surrounding a central opening as described in U.S. Pat. No.8,575,484, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference, ora conventional plaster ring having a forward extending collar. Whenfastened to the main body 14, as described below, the junction box J isgenerally accessible through the central opening 28.

The main body 14 of the face plate 12 includes markings or indicia, suchas ruler graduations 34, marking a distance from one or more of the leftand right edge margins 20, 22 of the main body. In the illustratedembodiment, ruler graduations 34 indicate measurements from the leftedge margin 20 of the main body 14. As illustrated, the front face 24 ofthe main body 14 includes two sets of ruler graduations 34, one adjacenta top edge 36 of the central opening 28, and one adjacent a bottom edge38 of the central opening. Although upper and lower sets of rulergraduations 34 are illustrated, it is within the scope of the presentinvention that the main body 14 includes only one set of rulergraduations. The ruler graduations 34 include hash marks 40 atpredetermined intervals. In the illustrated embodiment, the hash marks40 are spaced at ¼ inch intervals, although other configurations arewithin the scope of the present invention. Some of the hash marks 40include horizontal registration lines 42 for use in aligning a box plate32 on the bracket 10, as described below. In the illustrated embodiment,the 1 inch hash marks 40 of each set of ruler graduations 34 includehorizontal registration lines 42 generally aligned with each other, andthe ¼ inch hash marks 40 include horizontal registration lines 42generally aligned with each other and spaced from the horizontalregistration lines of the 1 inch hash marks. Although the horizontalregistration lines 42 are illustrated as horizontal markings on the hashmarks 40, it is within the scope of the present invention that thebracket can include horizontal registration lines not associated withthe hash marks, such as continuous horizontal registration linesextending along the front face 24 of the main body 14.

Referring still to FIGS. 1-8, the mounting bracket 10 further includesan upper channel member 46 extending generally horizontally at the upperedge margin 16, and a lower channel member 48 extending generallyhorizontally at the lower edge margin 18. Each channel member 46, 48includes a first sidewall 50 extending rearward from the respectiveupper and lower edge margins 16, 18, a rear wall 52 having a front face54 and a rear face 56, and a second sidewall 58 extending forward fromthe rear wall and generally opposing the first sidewall. The first andsecond sidewalls of the upper channel member are lower and uppersidewalls, respectively, while the first and second sidewalls of thelower channel member are upper and lower sidewalls, respectively. Thechannel members 46, 48 increase the structural rigidity of the mountingbracket 10. The channel members 46, 48 can also be used to secureadditional components to the mounting bracket 10 (e.g., a cable supportbracket or a floor stand). The rear walls 52 of the channel members 46,48 include clearance holes 60 at spaced intervals along the length ofthe respective channel member to permit adjustability of the bracket 10,as described below. Alternatively, the clearance holes 60 can be omittedwithin the scope of the present invention.

Each channel member 46, 48 includes at least one enlarged end portion 64configured to permit adjustability of the bracket 10, as describedbelow. Each channel member 46, 48 can include enlarged end portion 64 atonly one end thereof, e.g., the right end portions as illustrated, or atboth ends. Each enlarged end portion 64 has an enlarged width W1extending between the first and second sidewalls that is greater thanthe width W2 of the remainder of the corresponding channel member 46,48. A transition portion 66 extends between and connects the enlargedend portion 64 with the remainder of the corresponding channel member46, 48. The transition portion 66 gradually increases in width towardthe enlarged end portion 64. As illustrated, the rear wall 52 of eachenlarged end portion 64 includes a pilot hole 68.

The face plate 12 also includes stud mounting flanges 72. The studmounting flanges 72 extend laterally outward from the left and rightedge margins 20, 22 of the main body 14. In general, these stud mountingflanges 72 are used to secure the mounting bracket 10 to the wall studsWS using suitable fasteners F (e.g., standard self-tapping sheet metalscrews), as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, for example. The stud mountingflanges 72 are configured to permit two brackets 10 to be mounted to asingle stud WS without overlap of the stud mounting flanges.

In an initial configuration, the face plate 12 has an initial length L1between the left and right edge margins 20, 22. The length L1corresponds to a standard distance between wall studs WS (e.g., 16″ or24 ″). In the initial configuration, the bracket 10 can be attached totwo studs WS spaced a distance D1 generally corresponding to the lengthL1 of the face plate 12, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. The stud mountingflanges 72 are positioned on a front mounting face F1 of each stud WSand fastened to the stud with fasteners F to attach the bracket 10 toeach stud.

If the distance D1 between the two studs WS is less than the length L1of the face plate 12, the length L1 of the face plate 12 can be adjustedto fit between the studs. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 10can be cut (e.g., field cut) to fit between different stud distances. Inorder to decrease the length L1 of the face plate 12 to an adjustedlength, the bracket 10 is cut at a first cutting location 74corresponding to the transition portion 66 of the channels 46, 48 toremove a removable end portion 82 of the bracket 10 including theenlarged end portions 64 of the respective channel members 46, 48 fromthe remainder of the bracket. The removable end portion 82 can beremoved from the remainder of the bracket 10 in other ways besidescutting, such as by breaking off the removable end portion. The firstcutting location 74 can be marked with indicia, such as arrows 76 asillustrated. The bracket 10 is also cut at a second cutting location 78corresponding to a distance D1 between the studs WS. In particular, thebracket 10 is cut at the second cutting location 78 at the rulergraduations 34 marking the measured distance D1. In the exampleillustrated in FIGS. 9-13, the distance D1 between the studs WS is 10¼inches. Thus, the bracket 10 is cut at the first cutting location 74 asindicated by the arrows 76, and cut at the second cutting location 78 atthe ruler graduations 34 marking 10¼ inches.

The material between the first and second cutting locations 74, 78 isdiscarded, leaving a main portion 80 of the bracket 10 and the removableend portion 82 including the enlarged end portions 64 of the respectivechannel members 46, 48. The removable end portion 82 of the bracket 10is then nested with the main portion 80. Because the widths W1 of theenlarged end portions 64 of the respective channel members 46, 48 aregreater than widths W2 of the remainder of the channel members, thechannel members of the main portion 80 fit within the enlarged endportions 64 of the removable end portion 82. Accordingly, in theillustrated embodiment, the enlarged end portions 64 of the respectivechannel members 46, 48 nest with and lie behind the remainder of thechannel members and the stud mounting flange 72 on the removable endportion 82 extends laterally outward from the main portion 80 of thebracket. The nested main portion 80 and removable end portion 82 areattached by fasteners 84 (e.g., standard self-tapping sheet metalscrews) extending through the channel rear walls 52 of the main portionand threaded into the pilot holes 68 of the enlarged end portions 64 ofthe channel members 46, 48 of the removable end portion 82. If the rearwalls 52 of the channel members 46, 48 include clearance holes 60, thepilot hole 68 of each enlarged end portion 64 is aligned with one of theclearance holes 60. Once the bracket 10 is configured to the adjustedlength to fit between the two studs WS, the stud mounting flanges 72 arepositioned on a front mounting face F1 of each stud and fastened to thestud with fasteners F to attach the bracket to each stud.

With the bracket 10 attached to and extending between two studs WS, oneor more junction boxes J can be mounted on the bracket. Each junctionbox J is mounted against the rear face 26 of the main body 14. A boxcover plate 32 (e.g., a plaster or mud ring or other ring structure) ismounted against the front face 24 of the main body 14. As is known inthe art, mounting screws MS on the junction box J are received in slotsin the box plate 32 and tightened to connect the box plate and thejunction box to each other and to the mounting bracket 10. An electricalor communications device (not shown) may also be secured in the junctionbox J.

The ruler graduations 34 can be used to align and position the one ormore junction boxes J and corresponding box plates 32 at desiredlocations on the bracket 10. The hash marks 40 can be used to positionthe junction box J at a desired location between the studs WS. Thehorizontal registration lines 42 can be used as a reference to align thebox plate 32, thereby aligning the junction box J. Typically, a boxplate 32 having a height in the range of 4 1/16 inches to 4¾ inches isused in conjunction with a 4×4 junction box J, and a box plate having aheight in the range of 4¾ inches to 4⅞ inches is used in conjunctionwith a 4 11/16×4 11/16 junction box. The horizontal registration lines42 can correspond to these standard box plate sizes. For example, thebracket 10 can include two sets of horizontal registrations lines 42having lines positioned above and below the central opening 28, onespaced a distance in a range of 4 1/16 inches to 4¾ inches, and onespaced a distance in a range of 4¾ inches to 4⅞ inches. In theillustrated embodiment, the horizontal registration lines 42 on the ¼inch hash marks 40 are spaced a distance of 4⅛ inches, and thehorizontal registration lines on the 1 inch hash marks are spaced adistance of 4¾ inches. Other configurations are within the scope of thepresent invention. The box plate 32 can be aligned with the horizontalregistration lines 42 above the central opening 28, aligned with thehorizontal registration lines below the central opening, or can bealigned with neither if the horizontal registration lines are usedmerely as a reference for alignment.

The bracket 10 can be configured to automatically center and align a 5in×5 in junction box J. Specifically, the distance D2 between the firstsidewalls 50 of the upper and lower channel members 46, 48 generallycorresponds to the height of the 5×5 junction box J so that the 5×5junction box can be received and centered between the first sidewalls atthe rear face 26. Similarly, the bracket 10 can be configured toautomatically center and align a box plate 32 having a rearwardextending flange (e.g., the box plate described in U.S. Pat. No.8,575,484). The height of the central opening 28 of the bracket 10 cangenerally correspond to the height of the rearward extending flange ofthe box plate 32 so that the box plate is received and aligned in thecentral opening at the front face 24, to thereby align and center thebox to which the box plate is attached. If a different size junction boxJ (e.g., 4×4 or 4 11/16×4 11/16) or different type box plate 32 (e.g., astandard plaster ring with forward extending collar) is attached to thebracket 10, they can be aligned and centered by aligning the junctionbox and box plate with the ruler graduations and horizontal registrationlines as described above, or optionally by using a separate alignmentplate 90.

As seen in FIGS. 14-22, the illustrated alignment plate 90 is a unitary,one piece construction. The alignment plate 90 is generally rectangularand has opposite upper and lower edge margins 92, 94, opposite left andright edge margins 96, 98, a front face 100, a rear face 102, and alarge, generally rectangular, central opening 104 defined by openingedges 106. The alignment plate 90 includes openings 108 configured forattachment to mounting screws MS on the junction box J. The alignmentplate 90 includes openings 108 configured for connection to a 4×4junction box and openings configured for connection to a 4 11/16×4 11/16junction box. The alignment plate 90 is configured for mounting adjacentthe rear face 26 of the main body 14 of the bracket 10, and has a heightextending between the upper and lower edge margins 92, 94 that generallycorresponds to the distance D2 between the first sidewalls 50 of theupper and lower channels 46, 48 to permit the alignment plate to becentered and aligned on the bracket 10.

The alignment plate 90 includes an alignment structure configured toalign the alignment plate, the junction box J, and the box plate 32 onthe bracket. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment plate 90includes a first set of flanges 114 (e.g., upper and lower flanges)configured to extend rearward away from the central opening 28 of thebracket 10 to align the alignment plate, the junction box J, and the boxplate 32 on the bracket. The first set of flanges 114 extend rearwardfrom the upper and lower edge margins 92, 94 of the alignment plate 90.The flanges 114 are configured to engage the first sidewalls 50 of theupper and lower channel members 46, 48 of the bracket 10 so that thealignment plate 90 can be received and centered between the firstsidewalls at the rear face 26. In use, the alignment plate 90 isattached to the junction box J, and then the alignment plate andjunction box assembly are mounted on the bracket 10.

The alignment plate 90 optionally includes at least one projectionextending forward to reduce a gap between the alignment plate (andtherefore the junction box J) and the box plate 32 to meet localelectrical code standards. The at least one projection can also stiffenthe alignment plate 90 to provide additional structural rigidity. In theillustrated embodiment, the alignment plate 90 includes a second set offlanges 116 configured to reduce the gap for a 4 11/16×4 11/16 junctionbox, and a third set of flanges 118 configured to reduce the gap for a4×4 junction box. Other configurations are within the scope of thepresent invention, such as ribs or other projections extending forwardto reduce the gap, or other configurations of flanges. Alternatively,the alignment plate need not have any projection extending forward toreduce the gap. The second set of flanges 116 extend forward from theleft and right edge margins 96, 98 of the alignment plate 90. The secondset of flanges 116 is configured to extend into the central opening 28of the bracket 10 when installed to reduce the gap between the frontface 100 of the alignment plate 90 and a rear face of the box plate 32within the central opening of the bracket. The flanges 116 are sized anddimensioned to reduce the gap to comply with local electrical codes whena 4 11/16×4 11/16 junction box is mounted on the bracket 10. The thirdset of flanges 118 extend forward from the opening edges 106 of thealignment plate 90. The third set of flanges 118 is configured to extendinto the central opening 28 of the bracket 10 when installed to reducethe gap between the front face 100 of the alignment plate 90 and a rearface of the box plate 32 within the central opening of the bracket. Theflanges 118 are sized and dimensioned to reduce the gap to comply withlocal electrical codes when a 4×4 junction box is mounted on the bracket10.

The alignment plate 90 can include a cutout such that the generallyrectangular shape is open (e.g., C-shaped), as illustrated, althoughother configurations (e.g., a closed rectangular configuration) arewithin the scope of the present invention. The C-shape uses lessmaterial than a closed rectangle and permits two alignment plates 90 tobe formed in nested configuration (see FIG. 18) to reduce material andproduction costs.

As seen in FIGS. 23-32, the bracket 10 can also be used to mountmulti-gang junction boxes J, which are known in the art. To align amulti-gang junction box J in the bracket 10, a multi-gang alignmentplate 122 can be used. The multi-gang alignment plate 122 is configuredfor mounting adjacent the rear face 26 of the main body 14, and has aheight that generally corresponds to the distance D2 between the firstsidewalls 50 of the upper and lower channels 46, 48 to permit themulti-gang alignment plate to be centered and aligned on the bracket 10.The alignment plate 122 includes openings 124 configured for attachmentto mounting screws MS on the multi-gang junction box J. The openings 124are positioned on a flange 126. The multi-gang alignment plate 122includes a set of flanges 128 at the top and bottom thereof configuredto extend rearward away from the central opening 28 of the bracket 10 toengage the first sidewalls 50 to align the junction box J, as describedabove with reference to the alignment plate 90. In use, one multi-gangalignment plate 122 is positioned at each end of the multi-gang junctionbox J and is attached thereto with mounting screws MS. In oneembodiment, the alignment plate 90 and the multi-gang alignment plate122 can be formed together (see FIGS. 33-36) to permit use of either orboth alignment plates as required by the specific application.

FIGS. 37-42 illustrate a second embodiment of an adjustable mountingbracket, generally indicated at 1010. Corresponding reference numbersare used to refer to corresponding elements. Where elements aresubstantially similar to the embodiment described above, they will notbe described in detail again below. As described above with reference tothe previous embodiment, the mounting bracket 1010 is configured to beadjustable depending on the distance between studs WS, and includesruler graduations and horizontal registration lines. The mountingbracket 1010 also includes filler clips 1150 detachably connected to theface plate 1012 adjacent the central opening 1028. The filler clips 1150are generally U-shaped and include catches 1152. The filler clips 1150are configured to be attached to or clipped onto the junction box J toalign the junction box in the bracket 10. For example, the fillerclip(s) 1150 can be detached as needed and clipped onto the junction boxJ adjacent the mounting screw flange. The junction box J can then bemounted on the bracket 10 and aligned such that the filler clip(s) 1150extend through the central opening 1028 and abut edges of the centralopening to align the junction box J in the opening. The filler clips1150 also reduce the gap between the junction box and the box plate inthe central opening 1028 in accordance with local electrical codes.

The mounting bracket 10 can be sold and shipped to customers separatelyor as part of an assembly, such as a pre-assembled electrical unit, oras part of a kit. In one embodiment, a mounting bracket assemblyincludes the mounting bracket 10 as described above, one or morejunction boxes J for attachment to the mounting bracket, and one or morebox plates 32 for attachment to the mounting bracket. The junctionbox(es) J and box plate(s) 32 can be attached to the mounting bracket 10as-sold. Alternatively, the mounting bracket 10, junction box(es) J, andbox plate(s) 32 can be sold together as a kit for assembly by the user.In another embodiment, a mounting bracket assembly includes the mountingbracket 10, junction box J, box plate 32, and an alignment plate 90 (orpair of alignment plates 122, if applicable), sold assembled ordisassembled. In yet another embodiment, a mounting bracket assemblyincludes the mounting bracket 10 and an alignment plate 90 (or pair ofalignment plates 122). Other configurations and assemblies are withinthe scope of the present invention.

The mounting brackets as described above are versatile and permit a userto use the bracket with various size junction boxes and variousdistances between adjacent wall studs. The mounting brackets asdescribed eliminate the need for different lengths of mounting bracketbased on wall stud distance or different size mounting brackets based onjunction box size. In addition, the bracket includes alignment featuresfor ensuring the junction box and box cover plate are properly alignedin the bracket.

Having described embodiments of the invention in detail, it will beapparent that modifications and variations are possible withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention defined in the appendedclaims.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the illustratedembodiments thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products,and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description and shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mounting bracket for a junction box comprising:a face plate having opposite upper and lower edge margins, opposite leftand right edge margins, and a central opening; an upper channelextending upwardly from the upper edge margin; and a lower channelextending downwardly from the lower edge margin, each of the upper andlower channels including an enlarged end portion at one end thereof,each enlarged end portion having a width greater than a width of aremainder of the respective channel.
 2. The mounting bracket of claim 1,wherein the upper and lower channels each comprises a first sidewallextending rearward from the respective upper or lower edge margin, arear wall extending from the first sidewall, and a second sidewallextending forward from the rear wall and generally opposing the firstsidewall.
 3. The mounting bracket of claim 2, wherein a width extendingbetween the first and second sidewalls at the enlarged end portion ofeach of the upper and lower channels is greater than a width extendingbetween the first and second sidewalls of a remainder of the respectiveupper and lower channel.
 4. The mounting bracket of claim 3, furthercomprising a transition portion extending between and connecting theenlarged end portion and the remainder of the respective upper and lowerchannel, the transition portion gradually increasing in with toward theenlarged end portion.
 5. The mounting bracket of claim 2, wherein therear wall of each enlarged portion includes a pilot hole.
 6. Themounting bracket of claim 5, wherein the rear wall of each of the upperand lower channels includes clearance holes at spaced intervals along alength of the respective channel.
 7. The mounting bracket of claim 1,wherein the face plate includes a first set of indicia adjacent a topedge of the central opening and a second set of indicia adjacent abottom edge of the central opening, each set of indicia comprising rulergraduations indicating a distance from the left edge margin of the faceplate to the respective ruler graduation.
 8. The mounting bracket ofclaim 7, wherein the indicia further comprises horizontal registrationlines.
 9. The mounting bracket of claim 8, wherein the horizontalregistration lines comprise a first set of horizontal registration linesat spaced locations and a second set of horizontal registration lines atspaced locations, the first set of horizontal registration lines beingspaced a first distance from the respective top or bottom edge of thecentral opening, and the second set of horizontal registration linesbeing spaced a second distance from the respective top or bottom edge ofthe central opening, the second distance being different from the firstdistance.
 10. The mounting bracket of claim 2, in combination with analignment plate configured to be mounted adjacent a rear face of thecentral opening, the alignment plate including a first flange configuredto extend into the central opening and a second flange configured toalign a junction box within the central opening.
 11. The mountingbracket of claim 10, wherein the first flange extends from the alignmentplate in a first direction and the second flange extends from thealignment plate in a second direction generally opposite the firstdirection.
 12. The mounting bracket of claim 10, wherein the alignmentplate has a height that generally corresponds to a distance between thefirst sidewall of the upper channel and the first sidewall of the lowerchannel to permit the alignment plate to be centered and aligned on themounting bracket.
 13. The mounting bracket of claim 1, furthercomprising filler clips detachably connected to the face plate adjacentthe central opening, the filler clips being configured for attachment toa junction box to align the junction box within the central opening. 14.A mounting bracket for a junction box comprising: a face plate havingleft and right edge margins and a central opening, the face plateincluding a first set of indicia adjacent a top edge of the centralopening and a second set of indicia adjacent a bottom edge of thecentral opening, each set of indicia comprising ruler graduationsindicating a distance from the left edge margin of the face plate to therespective ruler graduation.
 15. The mounting bracket of claim 14,wherein the indicia further comprises horizontal registration lines. 16.The mounting bracket of claim 15, wherein the horizontal registrationlines comprise a first set of horizontal registration lines at spacedlocations and a second set of horizontal registration lines at spacedlocations, the first set of horizontal registration lines being spaced afirst distance from the respective top or bottom edge of the centralopening, and the second set of horizontal registration lines beingspaced a second distance from the respective top or bottom edge of thecentral opening, the second distance being different from the firstdistance.
 17. A method of adjusting a length of a mounting bracket for ajunction box comprising: removing a removable end portion from aremainder of the mounting bracket; and reattaching the removable endportion to the remainder of the mounting bracket to shorten the lengthof the bracket.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providinga mounting bracket comprising: a face plate having opposite upper andlower edge margins, opposite left and right edge margins, and a centralopening; an upper channel extending upwardly from the upper edge margin;a lower channel extending downwardly from the lower edge margin, each ofthe upper and lower channels including an enlarged end portion at oneend thereof, each enlarged end portion having a width greater than awidth of the remainder of the respective channel such that the enlargedend portion is configured to receive a portion of the remainder of therespective channel; cutting the mounting bracket at a first cuttinglocation to remove an end portion of the mounting bracket including theenlarged end portions of each of the upper and lower channels; cuttingthe mounting bracket at a second cutting location; discarding a portionof the mounting bracket between the first and second cutting locations;aligning the end portion of the mounting bracket with the remainder ofthe mounting bracket such that each enlarged end portion receives aportion of one of the upper and lower channels; and attaching the endportion to the remainder of the mounting bracket to create a mountingbracket having a length shorter than an initial length of the mountingbracket.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the face plate includesindicia adjacent the central opening, the indicia comprising rulergraduations indicating a distance from the left edge margin of the faceplate to the respective ruler graduation, and further comprisingmeasuring a distance between two adjacent wall studs.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein cutting the mounting bracket at a second cuttinglocation comprises cutting the mounting bracket at a second locationcorresponding to the ruler graduation marking the measured distance toremove a portion of the mounting bracket, wherein the shorter lengthcorresponds to the measured distance between two adjacent wall studs.